Free Bachelor of Social Science Psychology Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In an experiment run by psychologist Stanley Milgram, subjects were given instructions to provide ____ to "learners" in a different room.

Electric shocks (Correct answer)
Hearing tests
Sleeping pills
Psychotherapy

Correct answer: Electric shocks

In Stanley Milgram's famous obedience experiments, subjects were instructed by an authority figure to administer what they believed were increasingly powerful electric shocks to a 'learner' (an actor) in another room. The experiment aimed to study the extent to which individuals would obey authority figures, even when it meant potentially harming another person. The 'shocks' were not real, but the subjects believed they were.

Question 2: Psychology research looks beyond ____ to comprehend unconscious motivations.

outward behaviors (Correct answer)
health
words and writing
dreams

Correct answer: outward behaviors

Many fields of psychology, particularly psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, delve into the complexities of the mind that are not always evident through observable actions. To understand unconscious motivations, internal conflicts, and deeper psychological processes, researchers must look beyond superficial outward behaviors. These approaches aim to uncover the underlying reasons for behavior, thoughts, and feelings.

Question 3: An example from the ____ field of psychology is the law of proximity, which states that humans frequently use how close items are to one another to see a larger image.

Gestalt (Correct answer)
None of these answers are correct.
behaviorist
psychodynamic

Correct answer: Gestalt

Gestalt psychology is a school of thought that emphasizes that the whole of anything is greater than its parts. It focuses on how the mind organizes sensory information into meaningful wholes, or 'gestalts.' The law of proximity, which states that elements close to one another tend to be perceived as a single group, is a fundamental principle of Gestalt perception, illustrating how we naturally organize visual information.

Question 4: The objective of "enhancing" a population's genetic make-up is referred to as .

Eugenics (Correct answer)
Genomap
Genetics
Euthanasia

Correct answer: Eugenics

Eugenics is a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, typically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior. Historically, this has involved controversial and unethical practices like forced sterilization and selective breeding. The core objective is to 'enhance' the genetic make-up of a population.

Question 5: Which researcher showed that the number of new items we can store in our short-term memory at one time is limited?

Howard Gardner
George Miller (Correct answer)
Sir Francis Galton
Alfred Binet

Correct answer: George Miller

George Miller, in his seminal 1956 paper 'The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two,' demonstrated that the capacity of short-term memory is limited to roughly seven 'chunks' of information. This research was crucial in understanding the constraints of human cognitive processing and how we organize information. His work highlighted that we can only hold a small number of items in our conscious awareness at any given time.

Question 6: Of the following, which contributes to memory distortion?

All of the answer choices are correct. (Correct answer)
Source amnesia
Choice-supportive bias
Schemas

Correct answer: All of the answer choices are correct.

Memory distortion refers to the ways our memories can be inaccurate or altered over time. Schemas (pre-existing mental frameworks), source amnesia (forgetting the origin of a memory), and choice-supportive bias (remembering past choices as better than they actually were) are all well-documented factors that contribute to how memories can be reconstructed and distorted. Therefore, all listed options contribute to this phenomenon.

Question 7: Decide how Freud's stages of psychosexual development should be defined.

An explanation of personality which rests on the idea that humans go through phases, beginning in infancy through adulthood, in which we are fixated on certain body parts. (Correct answer)
Stages 1-7 of sexual development which include recognition of one's gender, questioning one's sexual orientation, and acceptance of the role of reproduction in society.
A science-based explanation of the ways in which genetics, especially genes encoded with information concerning sexual orientation, influence personality.
The theory that human personalities are developed in the womb, concurrently, as fetuses develop primary sex characteristics.

Correct answer: An explanation of personality which rests on the idea that humans go through phases, beginning in infancy through adulthood, in which we are fixated on certain body parts.

Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development proposes that personality develops through a series of stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital), each characterized by a focus on a different erogenous zone. Fixation at any stage, due to unresolved conflicts, can lead to specific personality traits in adulthood. This theory explains personality development as a progression through these biologically driven phases.

Question 8: What kind of therapy promotes patients coming up with their own solutions to issues?

Client-centered (Correct answer)
Modified stimulus
Behavior adaption
Psychoanalysis

Correct answer: Client-centered

Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a humanistic approach that emphasizes the client's capacity for self-direction and growth. The therapist provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment, fostering empathy and unconditional positive regard, which empowers clients to explore their feelings, gain self-understanding, and ultimately discover their own solutions to problems. The focus is on the client's inherent ability to heal and grow.

Question 9: Which of the following statements most accurately sums up humanistic psychology?

Psychological studies which occur throughout the entire life span of individual humans.
Client-centered therapy that helps individuals reach their full potential. (Correct answer)
Long-term talk therapy which explores interactions between the id, ego, and superego.
Exploration of conditioned responses in humans and animals.

Correct answer: Client-centered therapy that helps individuals reach their full potential.

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and their drive towards self-actualization, or reaching their full potential. Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a core humanistic approach that focuses on providing a supportive environment for individuals to explore their feelings and achieve personal growth.

Question 10: Which of the following therapies is appropriate?

All of the answers are correct (Correct answer)
Family
Relationship
Group

Correct answer: All of the answers are correct

Family, relationship, and group therapies are all recognized and effective forms of psychotherapy. Each addresses different dynamics and needs, from improving communication within a family unit to providing peer support in a group setting, making 'All of the answers are correct' the appropriate choice.

Question 11: Give two suggestions for a therapist to follow in order to improve patient outcomes.

Be warm and empathetic (Correct answer)
Act removed and indifferent
Get flirtatious but be unavailable
Be direct and forceful

Correct answer: Be warm and empathetic

A warm and empathetic approach is crucial for building a strong therapeutic alliance, which is a key predictor of positive patient outcomes. When therapists are empathetic, patients feel understood and safe, fostering trust and openness essential for effective treatment. This contrasts with detached or forceful approaches that can hinder progress.

Question 12: During insulin-shock therapy, a patient experiences .

Coma (Correct answer)
Lucid dreaming
Hypnagogia
Suspended animation

Correct answer: Coma

Insulin-shock therapy, a historical and largely abandoned psychiatric treatment, involved injecting patients with large doses of insulin to induce a hypoglycemic coma. The coma was the intended physiological response, believed by some to alleviate symptoms of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia.

Question 13: Which action is most likely to make the temporal lobe bigger?

Experiencing depression.
Learning a second language.
All of these answers are correct.
Playing the trumpet every day. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Playing the trumpet every day.

The brain exhibits plasticity, meaning its structure can change in response to experience and learning. Playing a musical instrument like the trumpet heavily engages auditory processing, motor skills, and memory, which can lead to increased grey matter density and connectivity in relevant brain regions, including the temporal lobe responsible for auditory processing.

Question 14: Which neurotransmitter may have low levels if anxiety and depression are present?

Serotonin (Correct answer)
Endorphins
Albumin
Dopamine

Correct answer: Serotonin

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter heavily involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and social behavior. Low levels of serotonin are frequently associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it a common target for antidepressant medications.

Question 15: Serotonin controls .

All of these answers are correct.
Reduction of pain and stress
Concentration and ability to move
Appetite and mood (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Appetite and mood

Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in various bodily functions, including the regulation of mood, sleep, digestion, and appetite. Imbalances in serotonin levels are frequently linked to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, highlighting its importance in these areas.

Question 16: Feeling

Prediction
5 senses
Sample
Bias
Emotion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Emotion

In the context of human experience, 'feeling' is most accurately defined as an emotion. Emotions are complex psychological states that involve subjective experience, physiological responses, and behavioral expressions, encompassing a wide range of feelings from joy to sadness.

Free Bachelor of Social Science Psychology Questions and Answers

In an experiment run by psychologist Stanley Milgram, subjects were given instructions to provide ____ to "learners" in a different room.